Is downtown Sarasota any safer than Downtown Bradenton? (Tampa, Laurel: rentals, crime)

[FIU2000]

My husband and I want to live somewhere where we can walk to things or at least be somewhat closer to the "action" for once in our lives. He's going to be going to USF in a year and so I'm combing the area from Tampa down to Sarasota. I live in Lehigh now and it stinks. It's safe and we have a nice house, but it is sooo far from everything, even from just big box retail. I started looking into downtown bradenton but maybe downtown sarasota is safer? We won't have a ton to spend on rent since he will only be working part-time. I'd say $850 would be tops for rent. We're both 30.

thanks for your help

[DailyJournalist]

Downtown Sarasota is a much better area, no questions about it.

[sweetone]

Originally Posted by FIU2000

My husband and I want to live somewhere where we can walk to things or at least be somewhat closer to the "action" for once in our lives. He's going to be going to USF in a year and so I'm combing the area from Tampa down to Sarasota. I live in Lehigh now and it stinks. It's safe and we have a nice house, but it is sooo far from everything, even from just big box retail. I started looking into downtown bradenton but maybe downtown sarasota is safer? We won't have a ton to spend on rent since he will only be working part-time. I'd say $850 would be tops for rent. We're both 30.

thanks for your help

Read the Sarasota Herald and the Bradenton Herald, they are pretty close with Sarasota statistics being slightly higher in crime.
They are both as safe as the other. IMO

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by FIU2000

My husband and I want to live somewhere where we can walk to things or at least be somewhat closer to the "action" for once in our lives. He's going to be going to USF in a year and so I'm combing the area from Tampa down to Sarasota. I live in Lehigh now and it stinks. It's safe and we have a nice house, but it is sooo far from everything, even from just big box retail. I started looking into downtown bradenton but maybe downtown sarasota is safer? We won't have a ton to spend on rent since he will only be working part-time. I'd say $850 would be tops for rent. We're both 30.

thanks for your help

I live downtown by Burns Court and LOVE IT! My landlord has properties all over the downtown area. I pay less than $850 on Palm Avenue. PM me if you'd like his number. There are super rentals available.

You'd be much happier & safer in downtown SRQ. The downtown area is very walkable.

[Suncoast Guy]

Downtown Sarasota is much better than Downtown Bradenton. Downtown Bradenton is full of bums, drugs, and crime, Downtown Sarasota is not. Newtown is a different story, but that's not Downtown Sarasota, so I would have to say yes, Downtown Sarasota is MUCH safer than Downtown Bradenton.

(WOW! A lot of "Downtowns" in this post!)

[SoFLGal]

I vote for downtown Sarasota. Most of the reasons have already been stated above

[Sarasota Fun]

No question that downtown Sota is a great place. You will love it!

[Obrero]

Downtown Sarasota is a MUCH better choice, no doubt about it.

[FIU2000]

Hi Suncoast Guy,

What's "newtown"?

Thanks!

[gypsychic]

Living in downtown is different from just going downtown. Visiting either downtown is fine. And yes, overall living downtown Sarasota is better than Bradenton.

HOWEVER: - It makes a difference WHERE in downtown Sarasota you want to live. Ladywithafan lives on a nice street, probably few problems there. We lived for 12 years in Laurel Park, a neat neighborhood in walking distance which has now become pricey, however there are still a lot of problems here - we had a LOT and I mean a lot of crime there the whole time we lived there. I don't believe it has changed much - the guy who bought our house had to put up a cement wall around it, and recently some vagrants who camp out in a wooded lot down there burned down a couple houses downtown. You also want to stay out of Gillespie Park area (north downtown)- this area is still rife with hookers and druggies.

Personally, I would NOT live in "downtown proper" again,but just one of the neighborhoods that are close-in but out of the crime area. For sure the commercial downtown is fabulous and fun to visit; and I am sure Ladywithafan can give you some tips from her landlord as to a good spot to rent.

Good luck!